The study covered a wide range of professions and concluded that people who were self employed felt better about their employment

The study looked at everyone from shop floor workers to directors in sectors including health, finance and education.

The study found that those who were self-employed were among the most engaged.

They also experienced greater opportunities for innovation, achieving challenging targets and meeting high standards. Non-managerial company workers were the least satisfied and engaged, researchers found.

Study co-author Professor Peter Warr, from the University of Sheffield, said: “Professional workers who are self-employed really value their ­autonomy.